Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a top cover where a laundry entrance hole is formed through which laundry is put in from above; a lid assembly coupled to the top cover in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole; a first hinge connecting the top cover and the lid assembly; and a cam being installed in the first hinge and preventing the lid assembly from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2009-0071056, 10-2009-0071057, 10-2009-0071058, 10-2009-0071059 filed on Jul. 31, 2009, and Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2009-0100847, 10-2009-0100849, 10-2009-0100850, 10-2009-0100853 filed on Oct. 22, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/230,590, 61/230,613, 61/230,510, 61/230,494 filed on Jul. 31, 2009, in the USPTO, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing machine which prevents a lid assembly from colliding with a control panel and being damaged when a laundry entrance hole is opened as the lid assembly rotates.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, various devices for handling laundry by applying a physical and chemical process are collectively called a washing machine; examples include a washing device for removing contamination of clothes, bedclothes, and the like (referred to as ‘laundry’ or ‘linen’ afterwards) by chemical decomposition by water and detergent and physical interaction between water and laundry; a drying machine for drying wet laundry by spin drying; and a refresher for doing laundry easily by spraying heated steam over laundry thus to prevent allergy due thereto.

Meanwhile, a washing machine which is one kind of a laundry handling device, depending on the structure and employed washing method thereof, is classified into one of an agitator type, a drum type, and a pulsator type. A conventional washing machine washes laundry by performing a cleaning, a rinsing, and a spin drying course sequentially. Also, only the one selected from the three courses can be performed by the user's selection and an appropriate washing method is employed according to the type of laundry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A washing machine of the present invention comprises a top cover where a laundry entrance hole is formed through which laundry is put in from above; a lid assembly coupled to the top cover in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole; a first hinge connecting the top cover and the lid assembly; and a cam being installed in the first hinge and preventing the lid assembly from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle.

A washing machine of the present invention controls a maximum opening angle by using a cam when a lid assembly rotates, preventing the lid assembly and a control panel from colliding with each other and being damaged.

Also, when a lid assembly rotates, a second hinge can control rotation speed, thus allowing the lid assembly to rotate reliably.

Also, a cam can provide torque in a direction along which a lid assembly is opened, making the lid assembly opened easily.

Also, a cam can provide torque in a direction along which a lid assembly is closed, making the lid assembly opened easily when the lid assembly is to be opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 as seen along II-II line;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a lid assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a lid assembly and a top cover according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a lid assembly and a top cover according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a cam according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam when a lid assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened by a maximum opening angle;

FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam while a lid assembly is closed; and

FIG. 9 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam at a closed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and characteristics of the present invention and a method to achieve the same will be made clear with reference to embodiments described in detail later with appended drawings. The present invention, however, is not limited to embodiments described below and can be implemented in various forms different from each other. The present embodiments are provided only to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to inform those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs about the scope of the invention; and the present invention is to be understood only by the scope of claims. The same reference symbols correspond to the same constituting elements throughout the document.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 as seen along II-II line. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a lid assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a lid assembly and a top cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a lid assembly and a top cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a cam according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam when a lid assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened by a maximum opening angle; FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam while a lid assembly is closed; and FIG. 9 illustrates operation of a translation cam and a rotating cam at a closed state. In what follows, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a washing machine W comprises a cabinet 10; a top cover 200 disposed in an upper side of the cabinet 10; a lid assembly 100 disposed in the front part of an upper side of the top cover 200; and a control panel 400 disposed in the rear part of an upper side of the top cover 200 and providing an interface through which the user can operate the washing machine.

An outer tub 30 hanged by a supporting element 20 is disposed inside the cabinet 10 and an inner tub 35 is disposed inside the outer tub 30 in a rotatable manner.

A damper 25 compensating fluctuation of the outer tub 30 due to vibration generated by rotation of the inner tub 35 is disposed in a lower part of the supporting element 20; on the floor of the inner tub 35, disposed is a pulsator 40 for forming a rotating water current.

Also, a motor 50 used for rotating the inner tub 35 and the pulsator 40 is disposed in a lower side of the outer tub 30. The motor 50 can rotate the inner tub 35 being coupled to the inner tub 35 through a rotation axis 55; and a clutch (not shown) delivering rotational force of the motor 50 selectively to the inner tub 35 and the pulsator 40 can be disposed between the inner tub 35 and the pulsator 40. Therefore, through the clutch, either only one of the inner tub 35 and the pulsator 40 can rotate or both of the inner tub 35 and the pulsator 40 can rotate simultaneously.

Meanwhile, in the top cover 200, a detergent box 60 to store a detergent is disposed in such a way that it can be drawn in or out; also disposed are a supply water hose (not shown) for providing washing water to a detergent box 60 from an external water source; and a supply water valve 75 to regulate washing water introduced through the supply water hose (not shown). If washing water is supplied from an external water source as the supply water valve 75 is opened, washing water supplied flows into the detergent box 60 and is provided to the inner tub 35.

Washing water supplied from the detergent box 60 to the inner tub 35 flows through a plurality of water holes formed in the inner tub 35 and is contained in the outer tub 30; and laundry is contained in the inner tub 35.

Also, in a lower part of the outer tub 30, disposed are a drain hose 80 for draining washing water in the outer tub 30 to the outside and a drainage adjustment valve 85 for controlling washing water drained through the drain hose 80. Also, a drain pump 86 is disposed and drains washing water to the outside.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a lid assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, a lid assembly 100 comprises a lid upper frame 110 forming an external appearance; an inner lid 120 disposed at an inner side of the lid upper frame 110 and supporting the lid upper frame 110; and a lid lower frame 130 being installed in a lower part of the inner lid 120 and fastened to the lid upper frame 110.

The lid upper frame 110 is made of metal or plastic material with excellent strength, forming an external appearance of the lid assembly 100.

The inner lid 120 is combined between the lid upper frame 110 and the lid lower frame 130 described below; and supports the lid upper frame 110. The inner lid 120 can employ any material which has strength enough to support the lid upper frame 110.

The lid lower frame 130 is combined with the lid upper frame 110 and disposes the inner lid 120 in an inner side thereof. The inner lid 120 is combined between the lid upper frame 110 and the lid lower frame 130; and supports the lid upper frame 110 and the lid lower frame 130. The lid lower frame 130 is combined with the lid upper frame 110, thus forming an external appearance.

A door glass 150 is installed in the center of the lid assembly 100. More specifically, the lid assembly 100 further comprises a door glass 150 between the lid upper frame 110 and the lid lower frame 130. The door glass 150 adheres closely to the lid lower frame 130 by the inner lid 120. A door glass 150 can be made of transparent material so that the user can see the laundry entrance hole (H of FIG. 4). As a most preferred embodiment of a door glass, glass can be used but an embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

A door glass 150 is relatively heavy owing to the inherent characteristics thereof. When the lid assembly 100 including a heavy door glass 150 rotates toward the control panel 400, the lid assembly 100 may collide with the control panel 400, leading to damage of the door glass 150. To prevent the damage, a first hinge (300 of FIG. 4) of the lid assembly 100 is equipped with a cam 300A to prevent the lid assembly 100 from making contact with the control panel 400. Detailed description of cam 300A will be provided along the introduction of FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a lid assembly 100 and a top cover 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 4, disposed are a top cover 200 where a laundry entrance hole H is formed through which laundry is put in from above; and a lid assembly 100 coupled to the top cover 200 in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole H. Also, a first hinge 300 connecting the top cover 200 and the lid assembly 100 is installed.

A laundry entrance hole H is formed in the center of the top cover 200 and the user can put in or take back laundry from above.

The lid assembly 100 is combined with the top cover 200 in a rotatable manner. The user can open or close the laundry entrance hole H by using the lid assembly 100. At this time, a state where a lid assembly 100 represented by a dotted line of FIG. 4 has closed the laundry entrance hole H is defined as a closed state; and a state where a lid assembly 100 represented by a solid line has opened the laundry entrance hole H is defined as an open state. The lid assembly 100 is opened making a predetermined angle while in the closed state; an open state which the lid assembly 100 can assume a maximum angle before interfering with the control panel 400 due to rotation is defined as a maximum opening angle.

The maximum opening angle corresponds to an angle ranging from 100 degrees to 120 degrees with which the lid assembly 100 is opened with respect to the close state. It is preferred that θ shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to 100 degrees to 120 degrees.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lid assembly 100 and a top cover 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, a washing machine W according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a top cover 200 where a laundry entrance hole H is formed through which laundry is put in from above; a lid assembly 100 coupled to the top cover 200 in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole 200; a first hinge 300 connecting the top cover 200 and the lid assembly 100; and a cam 300A being installed in the first hinge 300 and preventing the lid assembly 100 from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle.

A first hinge 300 is formed in a place where the lid assembly 100 and the top cover 200 are combined together. The first hinge 300 is formed in one side of the lid assembly 100 and a second hinge 500 is formed in the other side. The first hinge 300 can be formed being depressed to the inside of the lid assembly 100. Also, the first hinge 300 can be formed being depressed to the inside of the top cover 200; in what follows, the first hinge 300 is assumed to be formed in the lid assembly 100. The assumption above does not limit the spirit and the scope of the present invention; and the first hinge 300 covers all the possible combination between the lid assembly 100 and the top cover 200 combined in a rotatable manner.

The first hinge 300 is equipped with a cam 300A. According to an embodiment where the first hinge 300 is formed in either the lid assembly 100 or the top cover 200, the cam 300A is installed in the first hinge 300, allowing the lid assembly 100 and the top cover 200 to rotate. The cam 300A prevents the lid assembly 100 from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle when the lid assembly 100 is opened from a closed state to an open state. Detailed description of the structure of the cam 300A is provided after FIG. 6.

The lid assembly 100 further includes a second hinge 500 which generates friction force in the opposite direction of the rotation of the lid assembly 100 and controls rotational speed of the lid assembly 100. At this time, the first hinge 300 is installed in one side of the lid assembly 100; and the second hinge 500 is installed in the other side of the lid assembly 100 and is arranged along with the first hinge 300 on the same rotation axis around which the lid assembly 100 rotates.

The second hinge 500, in the same way as the first hinge 300 described above, covers all the possible combination between the lid assembly 100 and the top cover 200 combined in a rotatable manner. In the second hinge 500, installed is an apparatus generating friction force in the opposite direction of when the lid assembly 100 is closed. Preferably a shaft damper 300B can be installed but does not limit the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

In what follows, a shaft damper is employed for one embodiment. A shaft damper 300B is an apparatus which reduces a rotational speed by applying force in the opposite direction of rotational direction; and can use hydraulic power or restoring force of coil spring. The shaft damper 300B generates friction force in the opposite direction of rotation of the lid assembly 100, allowing the lid assembly 100 to rotate reliably.

The second hinge 500 and the first hinge 300 are arranged on the same axis around which the lid assembly 100 rotates. Both the first 300 and the second hinge 500 are so combined that the top cover 200 and the lid assembly 100 can make rotations, allowing the lid assembly 100 to open and close the laundry entrance hole H.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of decomposition of a cam 300A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, cam 300A comprises a shaft 350A connecting the top cover 200 and the lid assembly 100; a translation cam 360A which is fastened to the shaft 350A and whose rotation is restricted; and a rotational cam 380A which rotates with the lid assembly 100 and whose rotation is restricted by the translation cam 360A at a maximum opening angle. The cam 300A further comprises a washer 320A, an elastic member 330A, a bush 340A, a cam housing 310A constituting the external appearance of the cam 300A, and a cam cover 390A.

The cam housing 310A constitutes the external appearance of the cam 300A and contains the shaft 350A, the translation cam 360A, the washer 320A, the elastic member 330A, and the bush 340A. A rotational cam 380A is permanently fastened to the cam cover 390A combined with the cam housing 310A and forming the external appearance. The cam housing 310A and the cam cover 390A are installed firmly in the lid assembly 100.

One side of the shaft 350A protrudes penetrating the cam cover 390A and a protruding part is fixed on the top cover 200. More specifically, one side of the shaft 350A is fastened to the top cover 200; the cam housing 310A rotates along with the lid assembly 100 by making rotations due to relative motion with respect to the shaft 350A. One side of outer periphery of the shaft 350A has a projection 352A being formed by protrusion. The projection 352A is prepared to hook the inner side of the translation cam 360A.

The bush 340A is fastened to the other side of the shaft 350A. The bush 340A, being fastened to the other side of the shaft 350A, is installed in an inner side of the cam housing 310A. The bush 340A functions to support the other side of the shaft 350A and the cam housing 310A, being located in between the two.

The translation cam 360A and the rotational cam 380A are installed centering round the rotation axis of the shaft 350A. The translation cam 360A makes a linear reciprocating motion along the outer periphery of the shaft 350A centering round the rotation axis of the shaft 350A; the rotational cam 380A makes a rotational motion centering round the rotation axis of the shaft 350A according to the rotational direction of the lid assembly 100.

The translation cam 360A has a hole in the center thereof and the shaft 350A penetrates the hole. At this time, the projection of the shaft 350A is hooked at the inner surface of the translation cam 360A, thus restricting the reciprocating motion distance of the translation cam 360A by a predetermined distance.

A first projection 361A and a first inclined plane 363A are formed in the translation cam 360A. The rotational cam 380A has a second projection 381A corresponding to the first projection 361A of the translation cam 360A; and a second inclined plane 383A corresponding to the first incline plane 363A of the translation cam 360A. Description thereof is given after FIG. 7.

The rotational cam 380A is penetrated by the shaft 350A and rotates in the same way following the rotation of the lid assembly 100. The rotational cam 380A can be installed in the cam cover 390A. If the rotational cam 380A pushes the translation cam 360A as the rotational cam 380A makes rotations, an elastic member 330A installed in one side of the translation cam 360A is compressed by the translation cam 360A, thus providing elastic force reacting to the translation cam 360A. The other side of the elastic member 330A is supported by the washer 320A. Description of the elastic member 330A is provided after FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a translation cam 360A and a rotating cam 380A when a lid assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened by a maximum opening angle; FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a translation cam 360A and a rotating cam 380A while a lid assembly 100 is closed; and FIG. 9 illustrates operation of a translation cam 360A and a rotating cam 380A at a closed state.

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the translation cam 360A forms a first projection 361A which restricts the lid assembly 100 rotating more than a maximum opening angle; the rotational cam 380A forms a second projection 381A corresponding to the first projection 361A and restricts rotations at the maximum opening angle. At this time, the translation cam 360A forms a first inclined plane 363A in accordance to the rotation range of the lid assembly 100; and the rotational cam 380A allows the lid assembly 100 to rotate by forming a second inclined plane 383A corresponding to the first inclined plane 363A. Also, an elastic member 330A providing elastic force for the translation cam 360A by being compressed by the translation cam 360A is installed in the shaft 350A.

More specifically, when the rotational cam 380A rotates according to the rotation of the lid assembly 100, the second inclined plane 383A formed in the rotational cam 380A starts to rotate along the first inclined plane 363A of the translation cam 360A. When the maximum opening angle is reached as the rotational cam 380A rotates along the first inclined plane 363A by the second inclined plane 383A, as shown in FIG. 7, the second projection 381A is hooked by the first projection 361A and rotation of the rotational cam 380A is blocked. As the rotation of the rotational cam 380A is blocked, the lid assembly 100 fastened firmly to the rotational cam 380A is also prohibited beyond the maximum opening angle. In this case, a first projection 361A and a second projection 381A are formed corresponding to the maximum opening angle.

The first projection 361A is formed by bending in one part of the first inclined plane 363A and the second projection 381A is formed by bending in one part of the second inclined plane 383A. The first projection 361A can be shaped in the form of a flat plane or a folded plane by bending at a place where the first inclined plane 363A ends; and is formed at a place which prevents additional rotation by making contact with the second projection 381A. In this case, elastic member to be described later stays in a state of maximum elongation.

To describe the first projection 361A in terms of the position with respect to the lid assembly 100 and the control panel 400, the first projection 361A is so formed that the lid assembly 100 is rotated to be open up to a maximum opening angle while the control panel 400 is not interfered. When the lid assembly 100 rotates and reaches a maximum opening angle, the first projection 361A formed in the translation cam 360A functions to prevent the lid assembly 100 from rotating further beyond the maximum opening angle, thus making contact with the control panel 400.

To examine the rotation of the lie assembly 100 from a maximum opening angle to a closed state with reference to FIG. 8, the rotational cam 380A rotates along the second inclined plane 383A and the translation cam 360A moves in the direction of an arrow indicated by the first inclined plane 363A. In other words, the translation cam 360A is pushed into the inside of the cam housing 310A. At this time, the elastic member 330A installed in one side of the translation cam 360A provides elastic force for the translation cam 360A and thus generates resistive force in the opposite of the direction along which the lid assembly 100 is closed, thereby reducing a closing speed of the lid assembly 100. As the elastic member 330A is compressed, resistive force is generated and delivered to the translation cam 360A; the translation cam 360A delivers resistive force to the rotational cam 380A in the opposite (opposite direction of the arrow indicated) of the direction along which the rotational cam 380A makes a sliding motion in the second inclined plane 383A. Therefore, since the rotational cam 380A receives resistive force from the translation cam 360A as the lid assembly 100 rotates while in closed state, resistive force is applied to the closing speed of the lid assembly 100, thereby reducing the closing speed.

To examine the close state of the lid assembly 100 with reference to FIG. 9, the elastic member 330A provides elastic force for the translation cam 360A and generates torque in a direction along which the lid assembly 100 is opened. When the lid assembly 100 reaches a closed state, the translation cam 360A makes a sliding motion by the second inclined plane 383A of the rotational cam 380A and is pushed into the inside of the cam housing 310A. At this time, the elastic member 330A installed in one side of the translation cam 360A reaches a maximally compressed state. The elastic member 330A provides elastic force reacting to the translation cam 360A and the translation cam 360A makes the rotational cam 380A slide by the first incline plane 363A in the direction of the arrow indicated. If the user opens the lid assembly 100 while the rotational cam 380A is receiving elastic force provided by the translation cam 360A, the rotational cam 380A makes a sliding motion in the direction of the arrow indicated. At this time, the elastic force which the elastic member 330A provides for the translation cam 360A works as torque with respect to the opening direction of the lid assembly 100. In this case, elastic force provided by the elastic member 330A eases the way the lid assembly 100 is opened.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A washing machine, comprising: a top cover where a laundry entrance hole is formed through which laundry is put in from above; a lid assembly coupled to the top cover in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole; a first hinge connecting the top cover and the lid assembly; and a cam being installed in the first hinge and preventing the lid assembly from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the cam comprises a shaft connecting the top cover and the lid assembly; a translation cam which is fastened to the shaft and whose rotation is restricted; and a rotational cam which rotates with the lid assembly and whose rotation is restricted by the translation cam at a maximum opening angle.
 3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the translation cam forms a first projection which restricts the lid assembly rotating more than a maximum opening angle; and the rotational cam forms a second projection corresponding to the first projection and restricts rotations at the maximum opening angle as the second projection is hooked by the first projection.
 4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein a control panel installed in the top cover is further included; the maximum opening angle is determined as an angle at which the lid assembly dose not interfere with the control panel when the lid assembly is opened by rotation; and the first projection is formed to allow the lid assembly to be opened up to a maximum opening angle.
 5. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the translation cam forms a first inclined plane corresponding to a rotation range of the lid assembly and the rotational cam forms a second inclined plane corresponding to the first inclined plane and thus allows the lid assembly to rotate.
 6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the first projection is formed by bending in one part of the first inclined plane and the second projection is formed by bending in one part of the second inclined plane.
 7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the maximum opening angle ranges from 100 degrees to 120 degrees.
 8. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the cam further includes an elastic member providing elastic force for the translation cam by being compressed by the translation cam.
 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the elastic member provides elastic force for the translation cam and generates torque in a direction along which the lid assembly is opened.
 10. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the elastic member provides elastic force for the translation cam and thus generates resistive force in a direction along which the lid assembly is closed, thereby reducing a closing speed of the lid assembly.
 11. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the lid assembly further includes a second hinge which generates friction force in the opposite direction of rotation of the lid assembly and controls rotational speed of the lid assembly.
 12. The washing machine of claim 11, wherein the first hinge is installed in one side of the lid assembly; and the second hinge is installed in the other side of the lid assembly and is arranged along with the first hinge on the same axis.
 13. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein a door glass is installed in the center of the lid assembly. 